Alton demonstrators send message: Peace

ALTON — In contrast to violence, gunfire and arson across the river in Missouri, a group of Alton demonstrators Tuesday night wanted to show “love” while seeking equal justice for all.

“I watched the rioting going on in St. Louis on television,” including President Barack Obama’s comments about peaceful protesting, said organizer LaTisha Price, 29, of Alton.

“Maybe we can change things if Obama hears us,” Price said of that group’s peacefulness. “People in St. Louis are not taught how to fight the right way. We don’t want to mess up our community” and hurt local businesses where they shop.

Price, who soon will graduate college and plans to go to law school, said she wanted to organize a group to show how to demonstrate peacefully, spreading the word on Facebook social network. “I posted it on Facebook, saying, ‘We must take a stand and we will be here at 4:30 p.m.’”

She selected the 700 block of East Broadway as the demonstration site, thinking the higher traffic area would give the group attention.

Price said she calls her assemblage, “The Jesus Fighters,” which was all young African-American when a Telegraph reporter interviewed her at 8:10 p.m.

Laterra McGee, 24, of Alton had been at the location since 4:30 p.m. Hours later, she remained, a warm scarf keeping her face warm in the chilly air.

“I have a son myself, if it was my son, I would want people to come out,” she said, referring to the Aug. 9 fatal shooting of Michael Brown Jr., who was black and unarmed, by a police officer in Ferguson, Mo.

St. Louis County Prosecutor Bob McCulloch announced Monday night that a Grand Jury had determined it would not indict officer Darren Wilson, which touched off violence in St. Louis city and county.

McGee, though, similarly eschewed the violence across the river.

“United we stand, divided we fall,” she said. “Black, white, Hispanic, we all bleed red.”

Price showed up at 7 p.m. An hour later, there were more than a dozen of supporters, holding big fluorescent pink posters as cars passed by.

Some posters said:

• “I Am Valued As a Man of Color, My Life Matters.”

• “White Lives Matter, Too.”

• “Hate is a Learned Behavior.”

• “Love Has No Color.”

More of the posters were taped to a sport utility vehicle parked on the street by the demonstrators.

At 8 p.m. Alton police officers were talking to the group about safety along the street and warning them against violence.

One officer brought Price a cup of hot cocoa from the McDonald’s restaurant across the street; another one gave McGee a green glow stick on a string to wear around her neck to increase visibility in the dark.

“Much love to the Alton police,” McGee said, for the respect they showed.

While most motorists simply passed by the group, which was posted on both sides of East Broadway, Price said “a lot” of people honked in support.

She said others gave them “the finger.”

“Even when they give us the ‘finger,’ I thank them,” she said.

Into the evening the group continued to stand on the sidewalks between McDonald’s and Subway delivering a message of equality and peace. Their go-to chant, “Peace! Come stand with us!”

Price said she expects the group to return to the location at about 7 p.m. Wednesday, “We hope to get even more people to come, everybody’s life matters,” she said.

Related to the Ferguson unrest, though, Alton police officers have been called in for extra duty and are checking businesses and neighborhoods for any problems. Chief Jason “Jake” Simmons said the city was particularly quiet Monday night and Tuesday, with no incidents.

Police, though, had to counter numerous online, untrue rumors people were posting, and then repeating, on Facebook about violent incidents that supposedly had happened in the city. There were no such incidents, and it was not true that the Clark Bridge had closed – another rumor.

Still, even the main entrance doors to the Donald E. Sandidge Law Enforcement Center, 1700 E. Broadway, were locked Tuesday night. Signs said to call 911 in an emergency or 618-463-3505.

The protesters intend to demonstrate every night until they believe justice is served or positive change has been made. Price told the Telegraph that the demonstrations will take place Wednesday night as well starting between 6:30-7 p.m.

Sources calling the Telegraph reported another group of peaceful protesters near the circle area of Central and College.